The Bicycle Decision Dilemma: Supporting a Brother or Sticking with the Local Bike Shop?

Ah, life is full of tough decisions. Coke or Pepsi? Marvel or DC? Morning workout or an extra hour of sleep? But recently, I found myself facing a new dilemma, one that involved two wheels, a little bit of cash, and a good dose of confusion. Yes, I’m talking about buying a bicycle. Now, before you say, “What’s so difficult about that?” allow me to take you on a journey through my bike-buying conundrum. Trust me, this isn’t your ordinary shopping story.

The Quest for the Perfect Bicycle

It all began when I decided it was time to strengthen my legs and add a little variety to my workouts. I’ve been saving up diligently, putting aside a little bit of my monthly income to finally buy a bicycle. I mean, I could’ve just kept doing squats, but sometimes, your legs just want to cruise around town, feel the breeze, and pretend they’re not going through another round of 100 calf raises. 

Anyway, after months of saving and resisting the temptation to spend my hard-earned cash on shawarma, I finally gathered 80,000 naira. Enough for a decent mid-range bike. I was ready! I could already imagine myself riding through Ile-Ife, looking like a fitness model on a mission. But, of course, reality had other plans.

Meet the Two Contenders: Baba Apana and My Muslim Brother

With my budget in hand, I did what any responsible buyer would do—I checked out my options. Turns out, there were two 80,000 naira mid-range bicycles up for grabs. The first one was from the most popular local bike shop in Ile-Ife, affectionately known as “Baba Apana.” This place was practically a landmark. If you needed anything bicycle-related, Baba Apana had it. Not just bikes, but also spare parts, accessories, and probably even a life coach in case your pedals started giving you an existential crisis. 

Then there was the second option—a fellow student, who also happened to be a Muslim brother. Now, supporting a brother is something that’s close to my heart, and as a Muslim, there’s a special connection. Plus, he had a bike that was almost identical to the one at Baba Apana’s shop. I couldn’t help but think, “Shouldn’t I support my fellow brother?” I mean, it felt like a no-brainer at first.

The Baba’s Bike: Reliability and a Little Extra

Let’s start with the bike from Baba Apana’s shop. For years, Baba Apana has been the go-to guy for everyone in Ile-Ife. He’s the kind of guy who could probably assemble a bicycle blindfolded, with one hand tied behind his back, while simultaneously answering your questions about sprockets (whatever those are). And because he’s a seasoned expert, buying a bike from him meant I’d be getting quality and peace of mind. 

Plus, if anything went wrong with the bicycle, I’d know where to go. Baba Apana’s shop had all the bike accessories I’d need in the future. Want a new bell? He’s got it. Need a seat cushion because your saddle is trying to punish your glutes? He’s got that too. I imagined building a good relationship with him would be smart—after all, who doesn’t want to be in the good books of the man who runs the most reliable bike shop in town?

The Brother’s Bike: A Chance to Support My Community

Then there’s the option from my fellow student and Muslim brother. I could tell he really wanted to sell this bike, and there was a sense of camaraderie. I thought about it, and a part of me really wanted to support him. Imagine the smile on his face when he realized that a brother from the mosque bought his bicycle. I could already hear him saying, “May Allah bless you abundantly,” and who doesn’t want those blessings? 

But there was a catch. He was just selling the bicycle. No spare parts, no accessories, no cute little streamers for the handles (not that I wanted those… okay, maybe I did a little). If something broke, I'd have to go back to the drawing board or, worse, drag my wounded bike back to Baba Apana. 

The Heart vs. The Head

And so, there I was, stuck between two choices. On one side was Baba Apana, with his reliable shop, years of experience, and one-stop-shop approach. On the other side was my Muslim brother, offering me a chance to support someone from my community, even if it meant potentially having to find my own way when it came to accessories and repairs. My heart was torn, like a pair of jeans after doing lunges in a size too small.

I began weighing the pros and cons. I had to be smart about this. I mean, buying a bicycle isn’t just about getting from point A to point B; it’s about finding the perfect partner to glide through the streets and paths of Ile-Ife. I needed the best overall option. But what’s best, really?

The Social Implications: Who Would I Disappoint?

There were also social implications to consider. Buying from my Muslim brother could strengthen our bond. We could bump into each other at the mosque, and he’d point and say, “That’s the brother who bought my bicycle!” I’d be a local hero for about 10 seconds before everyone went back to their prayers. But if I skipped out on Baba Apana’s shop, would I be blacklisted? Would he give me that disappointed look the next time I walked by, as if to say, “So you think I’m not good enough, huh?”

Transitioning back and forth like this was exhausting. My head was spinning, and I hadn’t even ridden a bike yet!

The Moment of Truth

Finally, I did what anyone in my situation would do—I made a pros and cons list. Yes, like a proper adult. Here’s what it looked like:

Baba Apana’s Shop:

• Pros: Reliable, all-in-one shop, accessories available, future support, reputation.
• Cons: No brotherly blessings (and that’s important, trust me).

My Muslim Brother:

• Pros: Supporting a fellow Muslim, feels good to help a friend, maybe some blessings.
• Cons: No accessories, no long-term support, might end up at Baba Apana’s shop anyway.

The list didn’t make my decision easier, but it did make me laugh at how dramatic I was being. I mean, it’s just a bicycle, right?

Decision Time: The Compromise

Eventually, I made a compromise. I decided to buy the bicycle from my Muslim brother. Yep, I know, I know… this was risky. But here’s my master plan: after buying the bike, I would head straight to Baba Apana’s shop to get all the accessories I needed. That way, I’d still be giving him business, and if anything happened to my bike, I could show up with my new bell and act like I bought the bike from him all along. Problem solved! 

I thought it was a win-win. Supporting my brother, but also building a relationship with the local bike shop. Now, I just need to hope the bike holds up because I’m not quite ready to walk to Baba Apana with my head hung low, dragging a broken bicycle behind me.

Conclusion: The Wheels Keep Turning

At the end of the day, buying a bicycle was more than just a transaction. It was a life lesson. Sometimes, you can find a way to get the best of both worlds, even if it means getting a little creative. Or, in this case, using one guy’s bike and another guy’s shop. I’m ready to hit the road now, and maybe, just maybe, I’ll learn how to keep my life balanced—just like riding a bike.

So if you see me cycling through Ile-Ife, remember, it’s not just about fitness; it’s about friendships, community, and, of course, the sweet sound of a well-oiled chain.